What's Up, Welland?

For employers ready to expand their workforce and interested in drawing from a diverse talent pool, there’s a terrific resource willing to help with an inclusive recruitment process. Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) is a national employment program designed to increase the labour force participation of job seekers on the autism spectrum or with an intellectual disability. Natalie Bianco, labour mark...

It’s the ideal time for another chat with our pals from Birchway Niagara. The Niagara Region recently proclaimed intimate partner violence an epidemic, and November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so it's a fitting moment to talk with our allies about ending gender-based violence. Amanda Braet, director of development and stewardship, is back, and Andrea DiCenso, fundraising and events...

Look while you cook. Stand by your pan. Watch what you heat. If these catchy phrases don’t prompt you to cook safely, today’s chat with Michael Atkins sure will. Returning to the show as Fire Prevention Week is about to begin, Fire Prevention Officer Atkins is primed to tell us about this year’s theme – cooking safety starts with you. From October 8 to 14, the Welland Fire and Emergency Services (...

When you are home to the Intercounty Baseball League’s championship team, there's no question about flexing your Finatic pride and celebrating the newly-crowned champs, the Welland Jackfish. Ryan Harrison, president and director of fun, returns to What's Up, Welland?, partly to accept some congratulations but mostly to let us know this franchise-first championship will only up the ante f...

Niagara College fosters a vibrant and engaging environment where students are empowered to achieve their academic and personal goals. To enhance their overall experience, the college offers comprehensive services that support students academically, as well as socially, physically, and emotionally. As students pursue their goals within the campus community, they become part of the larger Welland an...

A chorus of questions began when the provincial government announced that the City of Welland would receive Strong Mayor Powers on October 31, 2023. What are Strong Mayor Powers? What can a mayor do if they choose to use them? In her role as City Clerk, Tara Stephens can provide valuable insight into this new legislation, and she joins us to begin the conversation about what these powers mean for...

In Niagara, we’re fortunate to have a dedicated team of community champions and environmental stewards at the Niagara Peninsula Conversation Authority (NPCA). With their guidance and expertise, the City of Welland recently collaborated with NPCA staff to plant a pollinator garden at Sparrow Meadows Park. This native plant-friendly project was made possible with the help of many local volunteers, c...

We've mentioned it before, and it's a fact worth repeating: municipal government is the level of government that most affects a person's daily life. So, we must take advantage of an opportunity to highlight something that supports local government. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference, which took place a few weeks ago, significantly impacts communities acros...

If you’re a family facing challenges and pressures, where do you turn for support? For families in Welland, that answer is the Strengthening Families for the Future program. Provided through the John Howard Society of Niagara, this program involves the whole family and reinforces the skills and strategies that enhance protective measures for all members. Caroline Graham, youth services program man...

There's no denying the City of Welland is a choice employer for growing one's career. For co-op students looking to flex their classroom learning and gain real-world experiences, we are proud of the opportunities we offer. In our annual, exclusive student-focused episode, we're excited to share the firsthand accounts from our soon-to-be-back-to-school students—today's episode f...

Niagara College boasts impressive standings in both provincial and national research, ranking first and second, respectively. This speaks volumes to the high quality of work conducted right here in our own backyard. Neil Wilkinson, the research program manager of the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Niagara College, joins #WhatsUpWelland to discuss the center's research miss...

A forward-thinking Community Trails Strategy was adopted last year to increase connectivity and enhance active transportation in Welland. When implementing any new initiative, you’ve got to start somewhere, and that’s what we’re ready for. The North Welland Trails Connection is the first phase of the ambitious plan to expand Welland’s trail infrastructure and position us as the trails centre of Ni...

School’s in and there's no dropping out in this new series within a series on the What's Up, Welland? podcast. We're excited to begin our exploration with a significant community presence and leader, Niagara College, starting with the president himself, Sean Kennedy. With a wealth of information, knowledge, and expertise among their faculty and staff, we're dipping our inquisit...

There’s no question that we can collectively enhance a community's quality of life through planning and providing a variety of family-friendly events. Here in the City of Welland, our small but mighty events staff – of which our guest today, Fraser Mowat, is part of – work diligently to envision, organize, and deliver experiences and memories for all ages all year long. With a focus on fun an...

In a city known for its canal, there’s a new plan in place to maximize the safety of residents and visitors using Welland’s waterways. The Recreational Canal Safety Plan was developed to provide crucial information on water safety and drowning prevention. This operational plan is designed to encourage public use of our waterways while supporting awareness of safety measures. Rob Axiak, director of...

Beyond the “oohs” and “aahs”, past the pleasing spectacle of fireworks displays, there are essential safety precautions to consider and follow. And safety isn’t the only concern that should be top of mind. Here in Welland, there are rules and bylaws about when fireworks are permitted. Adam Eckhart, fire chief for Welland Fire and Emergency Services, advises how to enjoy fireworks safely and when y...

Playing baseball is a blast! A bunch of players, a bat, a ball, and some open space is all you need to get a game going. If you’ve been out to see the Welland Jackfish, you know they take all those essential elements, add buckets of entertainment, and deliver a fun baseball treat. Not only do they put on an exciting show on the field – and they’ve got the winning streaks to prove it – they’ve also...

When a public library reimagines their services and redefines their responsiveness to the community, you don’t let audio glitches relegate the conversation to the shelves. Today’s episode has some cloudy patches of sound, but they don’t detract from the rays of innovative initiatives emanating from the Welland Public Library. With revitalized branches that feel like destinations and programming th...

Welcome to an episode of firsts. First-time councillor Sharmila Setaram makes her first appearance on What’s Up, Welland? to tell us about her first motion as Councillor. And the stories don’t stop there. Lived experiences, personal and professional life perspectives, and a passion for community paint a picture of who Councillor Setaram is.  In the first few months of her term, she has taken actio...

Although March is national engineering month, we can’t wait that long to talk about how the City of Welland supports educational outreach for this field of study. Our staff know that engaging with students to foster an interest in engineering happens through education and bridge building. Literal bridge building. And then having some fun busting those bridges to understand the real-world, team-ori...

Do you remember the carefree days of your youth spent playing outside? Time spent playing street hockey, basketball, home run derby, or whatever games you could imagine with a bat, a ball, or a frisbee? Some of us kept on playing through school teams and organized sports. We were active and these activities instilled important values such as teamwork, camaraderie, and confidence. Fortunately, in W...

Our city desperately needs additional family physicians to care for our existing population and cater to our rapidly expanding community. We currently face a shortage of 17 doctors, a situation which calls for immediate action. Having read the prescription pad, Welland’s remedy is launching a physician recruitment campaign worth $1 million.  We firmly believe investing in healthcare is paramount,...

Park and walk, roll over on your bike or pair of blades, heck, you can even grab a canoe or kayak and paddle on the canal. Whatever your preferred mode of transport, you’ll want to get to the Merritt Park amphitheatre for this summer’s Concerts on the Canal. Live outdoor music. Eight performances on a floating stage. A great way to spend summer evenings at no cost. What’s not to love about this co...

June is Indigenous History Month in Canada. It is a time to commemorate and honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. It is an opportunity for us to learn more about the history, heritage, and diversity of Indigenous Peoples, recognizing the importance of their contributions — both past and present.  There is no better way to gain a genuine appreciation and deeper understanding of Indigenous...

Water safety is an all-seasons consideration, especially when spring gives way to summer. As the days get longer and the temperatures turn toasty, folks naturally flock to the water to cool down and have fun. But who says fun and safety don’t go hand in hand? Certainly not Nicole Pilote, supervisor of aquatics and recreation programs at the City of Welland. With public pools and a recreational can...